Pixar has done it once again. Their status as the "masters of animation" is unparralleled, and each year they seem to churn out one masterpiece after the next. Ever since the inception of the Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards, Pixar has won it the most times. They won 3 in a row, with "Ratouille" in 2007, "WALL-E" in 2008, and "Up" in 2009, and they look certain to make it 4 in a row with this picture. 2010 sees them returning to familiar territory. This is the third film in the successful Toy Story animation franchise, and it delivers on all levels. It is a great ride with lots of action, adventure, daring and emotion. Toy Story 3 captures our imagination from the get-go and keeps it to the end. We welcome the return of the characters from the first two installments; our hero Woody, the enigmatic Buzz Lightyear, Mr and Mrs Potato Head, Rex and the rest of the gang.
The story begins with us seeing the gang trapped in the toy cabinet. Several years have passed, and the toys have been trapped inside. They never get played with anymore, because their owner (Andy) is not a boy any more. He is seventeen and has other things on his mind: girls, college, and teenage angst. The toys are worried with the news of Andy's impending departure to college, and as he cleans up his room they are left wondering where they'll end up: in the attic, or in the garbage? Due to an error on the mother's part, they end up getting donated to a daycare centre. The gang is excited to be played with again, and are happy to be in the presence of the other toys at the daycare. They are welcomed and embraced, particulary by the big loveable bear Laslow and his trusty sidekick, a flashy Ken doll. Initially, the daycare appears quaint and cosy, and a perfect new home. The gang is happy, except Woody, who was the only toy chosen by Andy to go into his "college" box. Woody is determined to make it back home, and escapes from the daycare. However, as we can expect, things go drastically wrong: he struggles to make it home, but also learns that the daycare (as well as Laslow and the Ken doll) is not all that "cosy" as it first appeared. In fact, it is a prison where toys are abused and mistreated, and where there is no way out. Woody has many difficult choices to make in this film, and he is the glue that keeps the gang together.
I won't give away the rest of the story, but just to say Pixar gives us a classic Prison-like drama reminiscent of "The Great Escape" and "Papillon", and we laugh and cry as we follow our toys on their mission to freedom. We are also given a fresh love story, and many memorable and clever moments throughout. We love the characters who are toys. They have human characteristics, but they are toys, with the main motivation of just wanting to be played with and to be loved. This is a need inside all of us, and Pixar presents us with a poignant adventure that will bring's out this basic human emotion. The opening sequence reminds me very much of "Up" as we the shades of time passing us by. We see Andy having fun with the toys, playing as a little boy, the innocence of youth. It is thus with a little sadness that we see him grown up, having lost that "little boy" inside him, and seeing the toys suffering inside the toy box. Watching this did bring back those days inside of me, as I'm sure it did to many other viewers. Once again (as with "Up"), Pixar vividly and superbly gives us this poignant imagery. The last act of this movie is very strong, particulary the ending which was very impressive.
The film is technically very good, and whilst the animation might not be as "high tech" or revolutionary as such recent ventures as "WALL-E" or "Up", it has evolved in depth from the first to films. Credit must go to screenwriter Michael Arndt who gives us a clear, adventurous storyline that is suspensful and challenging at the same time. There is a lot of depth to this film, and the central message that highlights our need for acceptance and love is very cleverly portrayed.
I am also thankful that I didn't see this film in 3-D because I think it could've been distracting, which would've detracted from the story. Just let the story and images come out naturally, and the rest will take care of itself. This is a gem of a film that the children will love, and even though they may not fully understand some of the themes until they are older, they'll most certainly enjoy the ride.
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